Yet Another NHL Screw-up

In game 3 of the Detroit/Anaheim series, the Ducks were handed the win as a direct result of a blown call. The TSN panel couldn't believe how bad the call was, and even the commentators made mention of it being a 'premature whistle' and 'for some reason' referee Brad Watson blew it dead just before Hossa scored what would have been the game tying goal with under 1 minute to play. As a direct result of of that blown call, the Ducks went on to win, and the Wings trail 2 games to 1 in this series. I sat in disbelief watching this unfold while colourful expletives ran through my mind. For anyone living under a rock, here's the play that had Wings fans seeing red.

How does a call like this stand and in turn, decide a playoff game? I'm completely and utterly amazed at the fact the NHL is fine with this. James Duthie made a comment regarding the 'common sense' factor. In summary his point was that if the video evidence clearly proves the call was incorrect, why wasn't the call overturned and goal awarded? I'm aware it's a 'non-reviewable play', meaning the war room in Toronto can't overturn the call made on the ice, but when it's a blatant error that decided the outcome of a game... that needs to be considered a reviewable play.

I went to bed angry, and opted to blog about this after letting it sink in, thinking a cooler head would prevail... I was wrong. Over at Abel to Yzerman they didn't hide their distaste for Bettman, his crew of officials, and the league in general.

If you haven’t seen it, you will.

The officiating in this league is the most pathetic of anything just south of professional wrestling.

But the league’s healthier than ever, eh Gary? Is this how you want your playoff games decided?

I’m two games away from being done with this whole charade.

Done with a league that allows the strong to be hamstrung because the pansies can’t keep up.

I’m trying hard not to turn this into a Detroit against the world thing. But watch that play, you know the one, again. Watch it, then consider the phantom Datsyuk penalty in 2007. It’s not anti-Detroit.

It’s just plain incompetence and we all just sit back and take it.

I’ll tell you this. If the Wings lose this series, after that call, I’m going to strongly consider how I can put forth any more time, effort or money toward a sport that has Gary Bettman as its commissioner.

Disgusting.

I read some other sites and found a convenient reply from Barry McGuire (the spokesman of officials for this series) who added;

"A combination of the black puck and the black pants may have been a factor,'' McGuire said. "But when he didn't see the puck, he blew the whistle.''

This is the caliber of people we put in control of a professional sport... Thanks again to Gary Bettman. If the previous post about the Bettman-Balsille power struggle didn't make me hate the little weasel, this incident getting swept under the rug sure will.

He's single-handedly ruining the NHL.